Are Sulphates In Shampoos That Bad?

Funkymonk1

Experienced Member
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Are sulphates actually that bad? I'm yet to see any concrete evidence that proves sulphates do any serious or long term damage to your hair (or skin) apart from perhaps drying your hair out a bit and stinging your eyes.
I was in my local chemist the other day and I noticed that at least 90% of the shampoos on sale contain sulphates. This got me thinking that if they were as terrible as some people say why do the vast majority of shampoos contain them? Even Nizoral our favourite "clinically proven" hair loss shampoo is full of them. Also, considering that most people don't use sulphate free shampoos there should be a lot more people with shitty hair if they were so bad.
I think part of this is a clever marketing trick to scare people into buying sulphate free shampoos.
 

SmoothSailing

Senior Member
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They are definitely not as bad as you seem to think. Almost everyone uses a sulphate shampoo everyday.

If you are balding you will naturally be extra protective of the hair you have. Sulphate shampoos are known to dry out your hair and remove a lot of protective oils that keep you hair healthy and strong. For ideal hair health it's advised you don't use one everyday, once or twice a week is ideal (as sulphates are very good at cleaning).

So nizoral is only used every 3 days which is fine. On other days it's advised you either don't use a shampoo or use one without a sulphate. But using a sulphate shampoo every day is not going to make a big difference. It's just every little helps.
 
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